HS BOYS SOCCER: Portland builds momentum for state tourney

PORTLAND -- The state tourney-bound Portland boys soccer team (8-8) picked up a momentum-building win over Old Saybrook on the team's senior night, Thursday.

The Highlanders, led by sophomore Andrew Geres (2 goals), defeated the Rams in dominating fashion, winning 3-1 and helping their chances for a manageable tournament seed.

"We locked up a spot in the states on Monday with the win against Westbrook and we just solidified our position here today beating Old Saybrook," said Portland head coach James Stotler. "We definitely wanted to build some momentum. We did have those two tough weeks playing the heart of the shoreline there and to pick up the momentum here with two wins in the last week of the season is a good sign for us going into the states."

The past few weeks have been a test for the Highlanders, with games against Hale Ray, Old Lyme and East Hampton -- all higher-ranked teams that have secured a tourney spot. The outcome: four straight losses with a combined two goals scored and nine goals against.

But senior night was a different story. The opponent, Old Saybrook (5-9-2), was no powerhouse and simply had nothing to play for except respect. Either way, a win is a win in the eyes of Stotler. Furthermore, momentum is always a trusty passenger, no matter what the circumstances.

"Things didn't go our way, obviously," said Old Saybrook head coach Sam Barnes. "Things didn't go our way all year. We're only losing three seniors -- the goalkeeper and my two outside halfbacks -- so next year looks to be very promising."

The game's scoring started with Geres' impressive shot from just outside the 18 that managed to get by Old Saybrook goalkeeper Zack Philbrick with 17 minutes left in the first half. Geres is the Highlanders' top scorer in 2010 and with two more years left, his presence should be even more pronounced as the season picks up again in 2011.

"Andrew lost half of his freshman year. He was starting as a freshman and broke his ankle. Since then he's come back really tough and he's good on the ball and still has another two more years to play. I'm happy with how he's developed and hope he'll continue to do so."

The other top scorer for Portland, Kamil Niemczyk, who also netted one on senior day, has one more year left in his high school soccer career. According to Stotler, he's also expected to be the go-to guy along with Geres next year. "Niemczyk is only a junior so we're looking good," said Stotler.

The best opportunity for Old Saybrook came off a Max Alden give-and-go to Danny Murphy just outside the 18, but the shot by Alden missed wide right. The one goal scored by the Rams came in the 90th minute with most of both teams' starters on the sidelines. Old Saybrook's Jeremy King picked up the goal.

Portland finished with 13 shots and 14 saves. The state tournament schedule is still pending, as regular-season games have yet to be completed. The official schedule should be out within the next few weeks. But for Stotler, making the tournament was one thing, getting his seniors a win in their last regular-season game was icing on the cake.

"Frankly, going 8-8 instead of 7-9 should help us as far as seedings are concerned. ... We've got five seniors that we sent off with a win and that was definitely a team goal - to give those five guys who put their time into the program to make sure they left what is probably their last game on the field with a win. The seeding and everything is great, but I always love for the seniors to win their last game," said Stotler.

"We'll take what's given to us and we'll spend the next week preparing and hoping to extend the season one game at a time."